The climate crisis is here, but it’s not too late to stave off the worst impacts.
Drawing on the work of thousands of scientists, “Mitigation of Climate Change” is the third and final instalment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s Sixth Assessment Report. Delayed for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then hours by governments softening the messages (scientists lead the report, but Governments have a say in the final messaging).
Like previous reports, this instalment offers plenty of dire warnings. The average annual greenhouse gas emissions between 2010 and 2019 were higher than in any previous decade. Net emissions have increased across all major sectors. Our Governments are not acting quickly or decisively enough to avert the 1.5 degrees Celsius target necessary to prevent a climate catastrophe that will devastate the lives of millions of people.
“This report…is a litany of broken climate promises. It is a file of shame cataloguing the empty pledges that put us firmly on track towards an unliveable world,” “UN Secretary-General António Guterres says.
This report, however, does not dwell on our failures but focuses on our options. The steps we must make quickly. As IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee says, “we are at a crossroads. The decisions we make now can secure a liveable future. We have the tools and know-how required to limit warming.”
Not convinced? Let’s look at some of the small—and yes, imperfect—steps we’ve taken so far.
1. Although greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, the average annual growth in greenhouse emissions from energy supply decreased from 2.3% between 2000 and 2009 to 1.0% between 2010 and 2019.
We can say a big thank you to energy efficiency improvements for this! Other reasons for this decline include swapping coal for gas and increasing the use of renewable energy.
2. Multiple low-carbon technologies have shown rapid progress since the previous assessment in 2013
Solar, wind, and battery tech have all seen much faster deployments than anticipated. Go us! Of course, helping this uptake is costs, which have also declined much faster than expected. For example, photovoltaic (solar) prices have fallen by a factor of 10,000 from the first commercial application on a satellite in 1958.”
3. Climate and climate-related policies such as carbon pricing, and clean and public transport subsidies play key roles in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
See, trains are awesome! And busses! Especially when they aren’t pumping petrol or diesel fumes (which include pollutants that don’t contribute to climate change.
4. The global benefit of limiting warming to 2 degrees Celsius outweighs the mitigation costs.
Yes – mitigation will cost money. More money now than if we acted earlier, but not as much as if we don’t start implementing more mitigation measures now. Don’t forget, this report is all about how to mitigate. It’s not like we don’t know how to help ourselves.
5. Solar and wind energy is growing around the globe! So too are other low-carbon energy sources.
As of 2019, solar and wind provided 8% of global electricity. That might not sound much, but the number is growing year on year. Love them or hate them, nuclear, hydropower, bioenergy, geothermal, marine, and fossil or bioenergy systems equipped with carbon capture, utilisation and storage sources are also on the rise.
6. Globally, the rate of deforestation has declined, and tree cover and forest-grown stocks seem to be increasing.
Forests! Super carbon sinks and rich in animals and plants. And yes, forestry forests don’t have the same power as old-growth forests, but all forests do something. Go hug a tree, even if it’s due to be turned into a piece of furniture.
7. Changes to building construction and retrofitting have created more lower-carbon buildings.
From construction materials to energy systems to the lighting system to insulation, residential and non-residential buildings alike can be more climate-conscious.
8. Biofuels, ammonia, and synthetic fuels are emerging as viable options for the aviation and shipping industry.
Finding alternative power for ships and planes has proven much tricker than for cars, but research and development into the options are showing some possible options.
9. Climate litigation is growing – and in some cases, it’s working
At least 37 lawsuits challenging the efforts states have been making to mitigate or combat climate change have been initiated since 2015. Other suits have successfully challenged “governments’ authorisations of high-emitting projects.” The private sector and financial institutions are also increasingly seeing climate litigation.
So, what’s next? Well, that depends on our role. Indeed, the most substantial changes must come from government and businesses, something Guterres isn’t shy about pointing out. “High meeting governments and corporations are not just turning a blind eye. They’re adding fuel to the flames. They are choking our planet based on their vested interests and historic investments in fossil fuels when cheaper renewable solutions provide green jobs, energy security, and greater price stability.”
What about we, the people? The humble individual? Are we devoid of all responsibility? Shouldn’t we be tired of all this greenwashing?
However, what we can is in some ways limited by our options. The more money you have, the more choices you have. The more affordable transit facilities available, the more you can leave the car at home. The more safe, secure, and energy-efficient buildings available, the more we can reduce our consumption. Of course, these and the many other options that may or may not be available do circle back to our governments and those large corporations that wield so much power.
For many of us, the most important things we can do are free.
Lobby. Push for change. Talk about the issues. Use your vote.